Dear Reader,

In the icon, Our Lady is depicted with her hands in a praying position. Her cloak is purple, the advent color. On the icon are Greek Letters, MR OY. These are abbreviations for Mother of God.

Jesus shines forth from her womb, the arc of the covenant. The Greek letters near Jesus IC XC stand for "Jesus Christ".

The icon dramatically depicts our relationship with the Blessed Mother. Her role is to set Jesus, Her son ever before us.  She brings him to us and us to him.

The icon of Our Lady of the New Advent was commissioned by Archbishop Francis Stafford of Denver in 1991. Father William McNichols, S.J. was the artist.

Archbishop Stafford proclaimed the decade of the '90s, the "New Advent" in keeping with the themes of the Holy Father. The archdiocese began the observance of a nine-year novena under the patronage of Our Lady of the New Advent to prepare for the celebration of the Great Jubilee.

Since the dedication, the Archdiocese of Denver has been under the protection and patronage of the Mother of God, under the title of Our Lady of the New Advent.

Did you know that there is an official Feast Day for Our Lady of the New Advent?  It is December, 16, in the heart of advent. She is also venerated during the feast of Pentecost, as the spouse of the Holy Spirit.  At Pentecost, she was present at the birth of the Church.  In that way, Mary was the Mother of the New Advent of the Church.